Cancer & its Nutritional Therapies

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The subject of preventing and fighting cancer is of course a vitally important one. Treatment of cancer should be under the direction of your doctor and preferably also a Nutrition Consultant liasing with the doctor. A proper nutritional strategy is required and therefore an individual consultation on the matter is recommended.

The aim of this article is to describe the basic physiology of cancer and provide information about the role of nutrition in cancer prevention and treatment.

What is a carcinogen?
A carcinogen is a chemical or other environmental agent that produces cancers. Such a substance induces cell damage, affecting either the behavior of a cell (DNA damage) or the permeability of the cell membrane - frequently because of the affect of free radicals on double bonds in phospholipids and DNA. This results in a cell which is incapable of utilizing oxygen or nutrients and so it reverts to glycogen metabolism and becomes a lactate fermenting cell, growing and proliferating rapidly in an undifferentiated manner, to form a tumour mass of cancer cells. Metastasis (migration of cancer cells) may be controlled by a strong immune system.

Four major groups of carcinogen are:

Smoke - benzoprenes from cigarettes and exhaust gases or smoked foods, which damage cells in the lungs. Food heated to high temperatures until burnt (eg fried, grilled or barbecued) contains carcinogens.

Common food dyes, preservatives and additives. Nitrosamines are formed in the gut from nitrates in fertiliser and meat coloring.

Metabolic by-products - including peroxides, the by-product of respiratory metabolism.

What allopathic treatment is available for the cancer sufferer?
Allopathic treatment is the use of a method which is "incompatible with or antagonistic to the condition being treated" (Greek allo = different, as opposed to homeopathy from Greek homeo = same). For the cancer sufferer this includes surgery to remove cancer growth (though this does not prevent a recurrence), radiation therapy to kill off cancer cells (though this also destroys healthy cells and damages the immune system) and chemotherapy using cytotoxic drugs to kill cancer cells (this is also poison to the rest of the body but more discriminate cytotoxins are being developed).

Hormone therapy (not strictly allopathic since it uses natural products of the body, eg steroids) is also used for anti-inflammatory effect, and can be helpful in cancers of organs under hormonal control including breast and prostate. Medical immunotherapy involves reintroducing cultivated killer T-cells to boost natural defenses.

What are the main types of cancer?
The forms of cancer represent different kinds of tumour and respond differently to treatment:

What are the characteristics of a cancer cell?
The primary characteristic of a cancer cell is that it is starved of oxygen and nutrients, and so it reverts to a non-oxygen requiring (anaerobic) form of metabolism utilizing glycogen, resulting in a build up of lactic acid. This occurs because of an increased or decreased permeability of cell walls or altered behavior due to genetic (DNA) mutation, the effect of free radical damage.

The cells lose the ability to differentiate from one another and form clumps and invade surrounding tissues. As the cancer develops, the tumour obtains its own blood supply for nourishment and elimination, competing with normal tissues for space and nutrients.

Cancer cells have the ability to migrate into the blood or lymph system where a weak immune system may fail to prevent their spread.

They are also able to move directly through surrounding tissues with the aid of pseudopodia. Some cancer cells secrete enzymes that break down collagen, the substance which binds cells and tissues together, allowing easier migration - vitamin C directly counters this process.

Cancer cells also do not produce the enzyme which breaks down essential fatty acids (delta-6-desaturase) and thrive on arachidonic acid (found plentifully in meat and milk). Essential fatty acids such as GLA from Evening Primrose oil counter this imbalance.

What are metastases?
One property of malignant cells is their ability to undergo metastasis - the spread of cancerous cells from the initial (primary) tumour to a body cavity or fluid (blood or lymph) or by migration through tissues,which may result in the development of metastases - secondary tumours.

Why is the disarming of free radicals so important in cancer prevention?
It is important to disarm free radicals because they can damage double bonds in phospholipids of cell walls and of DNA, altering cell permeability and causing genetic mutation affecting cell behavior (including abnormal growth patterns such as proliferation of undifferentiated cells). Damaged mitochondrial membranes (the energy power-houses inside every cell) reduce the ability of cells to utilize oxygen.

The vitamins C, E and A (beta carotene) have an anti-oxidant effect, disarming free radicals. They work closely with the important anti-oxidant enzymes Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) containing zinc, manganese and copper, and Glutathione Peroxidase (GP) containing the mineral selenium.

What nutrients have been shown to be effective in the prevention and/or treatment of different types of cancer?
Nutritional therapy is not a cure for cancer, but certain vitamins and minerals may prevent deterioration and spread of the cancer, and boost the immune system.

The primary anti-oxidants are: vitamins C, A (beta carotene) and E, and the minerals zinc and selenium. Many other natural substances also have powerful anti-oxidant effects, such as Pycnogenol, Lycopene, CoEnzyme-Q10, N-Acetyl Cysteine.

Minerals that support the anti-oxidant enzyme SOD are: manganese, and copper and zinc in 1:15 ratio; and to support the anti-oxidant enzyme GP: selenium.

Potassium keeps cells alkaline and is toxic to cancer cells, so keep the diet high in potassium (fruits) and low in sodium (salt).

It seems that just about all of us have been affected by cancer in some way, either because we have fought a battle with the disease ourselves or know someone who has (or still is). We are sharing these educational resources to help raise awareness and education about the disease...

What diet will help? By improving the diet towards Optimum Nutrition, all the family will benefit.

Daily eat one salad, some fruit, lightly cooked or raw vegetables, a handful of nuts and seeds daily for zinc and good quality oils. Twice a week eat oily/white fish. Avoid sugar and minimize starches. Drink plenty of water between meals.

Avoid foods with added salt. Avoid sugar and other foods with concentrated sweetness. Avoid processed and fast foods with long lists of preservatives and additives. Avoid frying foods and avoid artificially processed tea or coffee. Avoid drinking much alcohol and certainly don't smoke.

What supplements should I take?
If cancer has been diagnosed, you should always seek approval from your doctor for a nutritional strategy. Nutrients simply enhance health and only your doctor will know if an allopathic treatment is necessary as an urgent life-saving measure, and some drug prescriptions conflict with normally required nutrients.

However, prevention of cancer is something every responsible adult can take in their own hands, and the principles are clear. First and foremost, Optimum Nutrition is required, and this will help to protect you from environmental carcinogens, and to strengthen all the body systems in case you have an inherited weakness. Secondly, supplementing the diet with nutrients proven to help prevent cancer is a wise step to take.

Vitamin C, taken in generous doses (such as 3g or more over the day), is the primary nutrient to help prevent cancer and, indeed, to promote good health. High levels of vitamin C may cause slight diarrhoea - if this occurs, reduce the amount slightly, then gradually increase back to the original amount, or even more if your gut will tolerate this vital anti-cancer substance. Do not suddenly cease this supplementation, however; to do so may result in deficiency symptoms as the body has got used to high amounts in circulation.

In addition, Proanthenol is a very powerful antioxidant which works synergistically with vitamin C and this combination is the best anti-cancer measure you can take. The product has also been shown to inhibit tumour production in the skin and to protect against the carcinogenic effect of tobacco smoke.

Selenium is a vital element to both prevent and treat cancer. A synergistic mix with other antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E and glutathione, etc (they need each other to work best) is desirable.

A clean and rapid colon is required to prevent colon cancer and supplementation of Acidopholus along with adequate fibre in the diet is of assistance here.

Here's a further selection of foods that could be very useful in preventing the dreaded disease taking roots in the body....

Virgil Anderson shares his story, hoping to spread awareness of this horrible disease and also inspire others who may be suffering to learn how to cope with their bad fortune...

I’m sure you have heard the phrase “When life gives you lemons”. In my situation it was a little more dramatic than sour taste in my mouth…I was hit by a bomb shell. Throughout life, many of us are handed difficult situations. I think what defines us in the end is how to handle these situations. Just over a year ago, I found myself struggling financially and had to move in with my sister. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, I learned that I was now facing the battle of my life.

Up until about a year ago, I was always very active. I was born and raised by a hard working family in Williamson, West Virginia. My father, a coal miner, passed away when I was 8 years old. I worked in building demolition and excavating since high school. This required the physical tear out, and hands-on removal of walls, ceilings, attics, heating systems and cooling systems. I also worked as an auto mechanic. I’ve repaired or replaced just about everything you can think of in many types of vehicles.

One day I woke up and found myself fighting a stubborn dry cough. I didn’t really think anything of it until it started getting worse and I struggled to walk to my mailbox. Even when I was resting, It seemed like I could just not catch my breath. Of course this had me a little annoyed. Now I’m thinking I have to go to the doctor and take time off from work. Many people enjoy the thought of taking a few sick days, but that’s not me. I like to keep moving, otherwise I feel like I’m not accomplishing anything.

Like so many other people, I did not enroll in Obamacare so I had no medical insurance. My only option was to check myself into the local ER. After my examination, I was diagnosed with pneumonia and prescribed antibiotics. After a couple weeks, my symptoms were the same, if not worse. That’s when they decided to do a PET scan of my chest. Although they initially thought I had pneumonia, follow-up X-rays and the PET scan showed that the water was accumulating on the outside of my lung (ie pleural effusion). It was highly unusual for a 50 year old patient to have this, so they tested the fluid to see if there were any cancer cells. When they tested the sample I was relieved to hear that they didn’t find any cancer cells. A few weeks later they did a biopsy to confirm that I was cancer free. When the results of the pathology came back, I was sitting there, impatiently waiting for him to just tell me I need a different prescription or something. Unfortunately, that’s not what he said. Using a bunch of medical terms and details of the testing process he finally let it out “I don’t know any other way to say this but I’ve got some bad news”. He told me it was mesothelioma and I had no idea what that meant. Once I started Googling the term… I realized how bad it was.

I had never thought that one day I’d hear the words “you have cancer”, especially mesothelioma, which is a cancer caused by asbestos. It usually affects people in their late 60 or 70’s. Back to the bombshell… My heart sunk. I couldn’t believe it. All I could think of was how? Why me? How can someone like myself, so young and physically active their whole life, have cancer? I was told I needed immediate medical attention. I was angry, sad, confused. I took it upon myself to figure out how and where my exposure came from. I found a few websites on the internet that are focused on mesothelioma. One of them, specifically Mesothelioma.net had a great deal of information. I couldn’t believe how many products contained asbestos: concrete, insulation, bricks, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and many automotive parts. This explained everything.

For the next few weeks I was in limbo because I was trying to get into an oncologist specialist who treated mesothelioma but they were waiting until I could get SS disability insurance. Eventually I realized waiting for insurance and social security disability was not happening fast enough. Fortunately, I was able to find help at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda Maryland.

I’ve become extremely limited in my activities. I can no longer work and mostly live off of social security disability. I’m getting around but because of the fluid buildup in my lungs, I have to be careful about over exerting myself. I have a portable oxygen tank which gives me some mobility.

I am unable to do the things I used to do. But at least I’m alive. It isn’t easy adjusting to this new lifestyle when you’ve been so active your entire life. Some things are beyond our control and feeling outraged about life’s injustices is completely normal, but it won’t change anything in the long run. Going into a downward spiral of depression won’t do any good either. I have to stay positive and enjoy what I have left to live for. I choose to enjoy and cherish the time I have left with family and friends. I think many people take that for granted.

Resources related to pain management In particular, managing chronic pain for those living with disabilities....

Further Helpful Resources
The National Cancer Institute predicts that by the end of 2015, there will be over 1.5 million new reported cases of cancer in the United States alone? Unfortunately, half a million of those diagnosed will lose their battle with the disease.

We know by now that living a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious food, exercising and kicking destructive habits like smoking can all be factors in preventing cancer. Additionally, there are many things we can be doing to better detect the various forms of this illness sooner, without relying on infrequent doctor’s office visits.

Here is a list of resources detailing how to identify symptoms that should encourage us to immediately visit a physician for further testing....

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
The signs and symptoms of cancer are dependent upon where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects the organs or tissues. Learn more about what bodily changes shouldn’t be ignored.

Skin Cancer Early Detection
This resource from the Skin Cancer Foundation provides information on how to identify symptoms of trouble, and a printable sheet for recording changes in moles or birthmarks with each self-check.

5 Ways Service Dogs Help People with Cancer
In hospitals and homes all over the world, therapy and service dogs are called on to provide companionship and assistance to people facing cancer. Learn how dogs can help cancer patients cope through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.

Further Informative Articles

Healthy Sleep: A Guide to Natural Sleep Remedies
Repeated loss of sleep affects all areas of your life: The physical, the mental, and the emotional. Sleep deprivation can affect your overall daily performance and may even have an effect on your personality. If your sleeplessness is due to a pattern of not sleeping, or because your body and mind find it difficult to settle into a state of relaxation necessary for sleep, this book offers you alternative choices for achieving healthy sleep without the use of prescription drugs. With a free PDF to download.

Baby's First Year: What Every New Parent Needs to Know
Learn what you can expect in the first year of your baby's life. We offer tips and advice on everything from sleep to baby's first cold. This page will help you to make the most out of your baby's first year by giving you some basic guidelines and milestones to measure against. With a free PDF to download.

Creating Confident Kids
Although nobody gets a parenting manual in the delivery room, it is our duty as parents to try to make our kids as well rounded, happy and confident as possible.

Raising Children Who Succeed
It is one of the most powerful things any person alive can do, to choose to raise a child. To have a successful child we need to create a childhood that breeds success. Here's how...

Eating for Success
It might feel like we know a lot about food, but are we using that knowledge? And how can we be sure that what we are putting into our bodies is health, strength and energy?

Free Yourself from Panic Attacks
With all the stresses and strains of modern living, panic attacks are become a common problem for many people. Panic attacks occur when the pressure we are living under starts to creep up and overwhelm us. Thankfully panic attacks are very treatable.

Making Time Work For You
Of course we all have the same amount of time in the day. But some people struggle to get even the simplest of tasks completed while others can work a weeks worth of jobs into one single day. Time can be our worst enemy or our closest friend.

The Power of Gratitude
Having gratitude helps us to enjoy life more. It can break through huge barriers and reduce our stress loads, give us more confidence and help us to meet our goals. But how is it possible to be grateful in times of stress or when suffering from disappointment or sadness?

Reaching Your Full Potential
No matter what innate talents you were born with, what family you were born into, the money you have made or lost, or the times of difficulty or lucky breaks, nothing will get you to where you want to be better than understanding your full potential.

101 'Everyday' Tips for Losing 10 Pounds
This page is dedicated solely to the cause of losing weight - sometimes in the most surprising ways you ever heard of. There is only one thing that you have to bear in mind. Weight loss does not happen by itself. There are only two ways to accomplish it... The first is by watching what you eat and the second is by seeing to it that your body gets the exercise that it needs. As you go through the following topics, you'll be amazed by all the 'everyday' things you can be doing to lose 10 pounds... or more.

Transform Yourself at Home
One thing which has always put me off transforming myself is the thought of doing it in front of other people. It does not matter if they are male or female, I want to step out into the world as a transformed person and not let them see the me which existed beforehand. Life’s not that perfect, but over the last year I have decided to turn my home into a gym. That does not mean buying a lot of expensive equipment, it just means learning how to use the home to my advantage. Here’s why I’ve found working out at home to be really good for me...

Don’t have to feel self-conscious

Play whatever music you want

You can make whatever noise you want too

You can make mistakes without being judged

Wear whatever you want

Use the equipment you do have for as long as you want without feeling guilty

Food is Medicine
In the UK, 10,000 people are killed every year by adverse drug reactions, which happen when the prescription drug that is supposed to be curing them kills or harms them instead. Patrick Holford and Jerome Burne explain why food may be better medicine for your health than the drugs your doctor is likely to prescribe.

Nutrition and Cancer
Inadequate nutrition is one of the root causes of cancer, and although under-used by medical doctors, nutritional therapy can play an important part in recovery from cancer. This article gives more details. Recently updated with many links for further information about alternative cancer treatments and prevention.

Guided Imagery and Eating Disorders
This article by Joanna Poppink discusses how guided imagery and other methods that reach under the conscious thinking mind can be useful in helping people recover from eating disorders. People with eating disorders often have secrets from themselves. These are secrets about which they have little or no awareness.

Is there a Cure for Arthritis?
An informative report on the latest osteoarthritis breakthroughs and a dramatic true life story of how one person halted his osteoarthritis pain and reversed the progression of his disease.

Arthritis in Family Pets
Is your beloved pet not as active as before? Important information for anyone who owns a pet including the latest breakthroughs in fighting arthritis in pets, a debilitating disease for 30% of all dogs and cats.

Supplements: Are They Necessary & Are They Safe?
The argument goes that eating a varied diet rich in fruit and vegetables delivers the right amount of vitamins and minerals to the body and that high doses of synthetic supplements are unsafe. So don't bother with supplements. But this is a misleading distortion of the truth - read this article for the real picture.

Feeling Exhausted?
Mental and physical exhaustion are very common symptoms, linked to the stressful lifestyle, poor diet and lack of exercise that so many people suffer. This article describes just what is going on and what you can do about it, describing the symptoms of stress and touching on the related topics of hypoglycemia, hypertension and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Nutrition in the Treatment of Depression
This article (extracted from "Alcoholism--The Biochemical Connection" by Joan Larson) was written especially to help alcoholics, who are particularly prone to suffer from depression, but the information it contains will be valuable for every person who frequently feels depressed or unable to sleep through anxiety. Until these nutritional factors are handled no amount of positive thinking or psychotherapy can make much headway. This is the reason that I, as a psychologist, initially became interested in the subject of nutrition.

CFS or Low Level Mercury Poisoning?
We would like to draw your attention to an individual case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS, also known as ME) which was not resolvable by nutritional means alone. This was because the real cause was Mercury poisoning, a form of toxicity which has very similar symptoms to CFS. If you have had a lot of dental fillings with silver/mercury amalgam, and you suffer from chronic fatigue, you may have the answer right there in your mouth!

The Dangers of Glyphosate Farming
Eliminating genetically modified foods from your diet and glyphosate from your garden or farm operations, may be the most important decisions you will ever make. You will never know the lives you’ll touch with it. It is not an economic decision at all, it is a moral one.

Welcome to Magravs Plasma Products

Feel like you've tried it all before and nothing has given you pain relief? Magravs Plasma Products are designed to give you the real pain relief you've been looking for.

Using the Keshe Foundation plasma technology, these products bring a new approach to healing and have great results from real people to share just how well it works. Here's an introduction by Richard Presser...

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